According to the 1860 Federal Census for Niles Township, Cook County, Illinois, dated June 30, 1860, Nikolaus Dahm was listed as 83 years old. but he was baptized on March 3, 1772. He died in 1867. He emigrated from Prussia and came to America arriving in New York on August 4, 1851 aboard the Reliance with his son Mathias' family. The last port of departure was Antwerp, Belgium. According to the passenger list, he was then 78. The passenger list dates for some of the other family members are known to be incorrect.

Nikolaus Dahm and Elisabeth Ferring had the following children, all born in Welschbillig, Prussia (Germany):

Johann Peter (bp 25 Jan 1794 - witnesses: Synodale and Schöffe Großvater Johann Peter Ferring of Welschbillig; Großmutter Maria Katharina Becker, Frau von Domherrenhofmann, and Synodale Karl Dahm of Welschbillig - d. 23 Apr 1841, Welschbillig) m. 18 Dec 1816, Welschbillig, Susanna Brosius (bp 5 May 1796, Welschbillig - 13 Jun 1832 in Welschbillig) daughter of Nikolaus Brosius and Katharina Engling
Magdalena (bp 17 Jan 1796, Welschbillig - witnesses: Magdalena Ferring,Tochter von Großvater Johann Peter Ferring and Großvater Karl Dahm - bu. 25 Dec 1798, Welschbillig)
Bernard (bp 16 Oct 1798, Welschbillig - witnesses Bernard Molitor of Mertert and Eva Dahm of Welschbillig - 8 Nov 1807)
Karl "Charles" (bp 06 Jun 1802, Welschbillig - witnesses Karl Dahm, Sohn von Bernard Dahm of Welschbillig and Anna Boden, Frau von Peter Ferring of Welschbillig - 1905) m1. Catharina Elizabeth Conrad; m2. Margaret Theisen. Karl immigrated to America in 1847. He is found living near his brother Mathias and nephew Johannis in the 1860, 1870, and 1880 censuses for Niles Township, Illinois
Apollonia (5 Aug 1806 - 1 Jan 1838/1899) m1. abt 1826, Joseph Peters, m2. Nicholas Hauer
Magdalena (2 Apr 1810, bp 4 Apr 1810 - 3 Jul 1833) never married
Matthias (17 Dec 1812 - 23 Dec 1902) m. Barbara _____They emigrated to America in 1851.